Mind Body Soul Retreats

As governments around the world continue to respond to COVID-19, one thing remains consistent, there is still a lack of transparency and clarity about the response to the virus and the virus itself. Many of the opinions and ideas circulating about this virus  are leading to fear and confusion. So, it is still challenging to make much sense about the issue. It’s important to acknowledge our states of frustration, anxiety, uncertainty, fear and disappointment.

I’m a person who took charge of her own health decades ago. I studied and applied the disciplines for functional communication and emotional competence, healthy eating, body movement and rest. Since then, I’ve been helping others who have a similar desire for sovereignty and clarity to do the same. My intent here is to share some clear, practical and precise ideas with you, to empower you and those you care about.

The Data

We’ve been told that many people with corona virus are asymptotic, showing no symptoms. But there are some possible signals from your body that may indicate that you have the virus, like itchy throat, dry throat, dry cough, high fever, shortness of breath or loss of smell. 

Recent data shows that this virus has a 97%-99.75% recovery rate, depending on factors such as age and overall health. Many people contract the virus and do not even exhibit symptoms, others are only mildly symptomatic. So, inform yourself. Take these moments of lockdown to create healthier habits. Learn how to maximize your health, so you can protect yourself and those you love, and heal from all illness.

Real Food

Do you want to reduce your chances of death from this virus and other chronic diseases? Then it would be wise to consider a diet that is rich in fresh, high alkaline foods.  If you want to optimize your health, start adding whole, unprocessed foods to your diet. Studies show that the body integrates vitamins and minerals more efficiently and successfully from the intake of whole, unprocessed foods. You can protect yourself by eating fresh foods that are high in Vitamin C, E, D. Start with foods you already know and like and eat more of them. 

Increasing the alkalinity in your diet can be beneficial in many ways. Junk food is addictive short term. High alkaline foods become addictive after some time. A high alkaline diet can increase the availability of intracellular magnesium. Studies have shown that an increase in intracellular magnesium, which is required for the function of many enzyme systems, is also needed to catalyze vitamin D, which is essential for increased immune response.

Exercise, Sunlight, Air

Go outside! Daily exercise, exposure to clean air and sunlight are excellent ways to become more robust and resilient and to feel joy and optimism. So take a walk. Take the stairs. Play with your kids. Dance. Move your body.

Sleep

But most importantly, you must sleep. Sleep is probably the most underrated activity we can do to improve our health. Sleep is free. We’ve been in lockdowns for over a year, so there has been plenty of time to optimize your sleeping habits. Geetaji Iyengar spoke and wrote about the essential nature of sleep, stating that, “Natural sleep occurs in a tranquil body and mind and makes one well equipped to face the problems of the day.” Also the importance of sleep was described by the 6th century Ayurvedic writer, scientist and doctor Vagbhata: 

[On sleep depends happiness and grief, fatness and Leannes, strength and weakness, potency and impotency, knowledge and ignorance, life and death.] V.A.H. I 7.53

Neuroscientist and sleep advocate Matthew Walker proclaims, “Sleep is your superpower. It is Mother Nature’s best effort at human immortality. It is the single most effective thing we can do to reset the brain and the body health each day.” So if you are over the age of 25 then eight to nine hours sleep each night will create a strong, resilient, healthy mind, body and soul. For 25 and under, sleep more.